Lock switch



Jan. '1 1,521,862

S. F. BRIGGS LOCK SWITCH Filed Dec. 8, 1917 2 Sheets-Sheet l WITNESSES.

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Jan, 6,

S. F. BRIGGS LOCK SWITCH Filed Dec. 8, 1917 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 //v VENTOR WITNESSES.

Patented Jan. 6, 1925.

UNITED STATS 1,521,862 PATENT OFFICE.

STEPHEN F. BRIGGS, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR T0 BRIGGS & STRATTON' COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

LOCK SWITCH.

Application filed December 8, 1917. Serial No. 206,309.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, STEPHEN F. BRIGGS, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Look Switches, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification.

This invention has for its object to provide a switch mechanism for controlling one or more electrical circuits, such as the ignition circuit and the lighting circuit of an automobile, or the like, and which may be locked either in a predetermined position or in any one of its operative positions, and in the case of a multiple switch construction the one look serving to lock one switch in a predetermined position and the other switch in any of its operative positions.

Another object of the invention is to utilize the complete revolution of the key 'in its lock for effecting the throw of the lock bolt.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in the lock switch, its parts and combinations of parts as herein claimed and all equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like characters of reference indicate the same parts in different views:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a switch constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a bottom View of the mounting partly in section showing the switch with the terminal head removed;

Fig. 4 is a transversesectional view of the switch and its mounting;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the parts on the plane of line 55 of Fig. 4, showing the locking mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the inner switch handle member with the lock;

Fig. 7 is a top view of the inner switch member for attachment thereto;

Fig. 8 is a top view of the outer switch member;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view corresponding with Fig. 5 showing a modified form of lock mechanism; and,

Fig. 10 is a sectional view thereof on a plane at right angles to the sectional plane of Fig. 9.

In these drawings 10 indicates a switch front plate having a cylindrical casing 11 formed therewith or secured to it on its back or lower face, as shown. Within a central opening in the front plate are fitted a pair of switch levers 12 and 13, the switch lever 12 being the larger and fitting the opening of the front plate, while the switch handle 13 fits in a cylindrical recess in handle member 12 with a central boss or projection 14 passing through an opening in the bottom of switch lever 12. A ringlike switch member or outer disk 15- of insulating material is fastened by screws 16 to the inwardly extending flange forming the bottom of the recess in switch lever 12 so that such switch member is turned by means of the switch lever 12. An inner disk or switch member 17 also of insulating material fits within a countersunk recess in the switch member 15 concentric therewith and is secured by means of a central screw 18 and dowel pins 19 to the boss 14 of switch lever 13 so that said switch member 17 is turned by means of the switch lever 13.

A terminal head 20 of insulating material is secured in the end of the cylindrical switch case 11 by screws 21 and has embedded in it tubular terminal studs 22 containing plunger contacts 23 which are pressed upwardly against the switch members 15 and 17 by 2 1. Screws 25 threaded in the ends of the terminal studs 22 convert them into binding posts.

Contact buttons 26 pass through the inner and outer disks 17 and 15 with their heads countersunk in the bottom surface thereof and their upper ends riveted to connector rings 27and 28 respectively, the connector ring 27 of the inner disk being split at two points to divide it into separate segments each having two of the contact buttons. This division of one or both of the connector rings may be made as desired according to the positions of the various means of coil springs terminal studs and the connections t-o be ever, the short circuit is removed from the magneto connections and connection is established between the horn and battery terminal sockets by theengagement therewith of the contact buttons of the. other segment 27 shown inFig. 7. Likewise the different positions of the'outer or lighting switch lever 12, marked on the front plate as shown in Fig. 1, establish different connections for the various lighting circuits to cause the lights to burn in various combinations according to the engagement of the contact buttons of the common connector ring 28 with the plungers of the respective terminalsockets.

A spacing ring 29, preferably of insulating material, surrounds the lower end of the outer switch lever 12 and bears on the connector ring 28 and against the wall of the switch front or casing to take the end thrust of the outer disk 15 and afford an easy bearing therefor, resisting the pressure of the spring plungers of the contacts. Stop pins project from the casing and the outer disk 15 respectively to limit the movements of the outer switch lever while stop pins 31 on the inner switch disk 17 and the terminal head 20 respectively limit the movements of the innerswitch lever.

In order that the switch levers 12 and 13 may be locked to prevent tampering therewith, a lock cylinder 32 of the Yale type is fitted in a centralrecess ofthe inner switch lever 13 Where it is held by screws 33 and its lock barrel 34, which is released as usual and rotated by a suitable key 35, has an eccentrically positioned wrist pin 36 on its end. By the turning movements of the lock barrel the wrist pin, is revolved within a snail'slot 37 of a lock bolt 38, which is slidably mounted in openings of the switch lever 13, with its end adapted to be projected through any one of a series of lock openings 39 in the surrounding cylinder wall of the switch lever 12, and into a lock opening 40 in the wall of the opening of the switch case, in which the switch levers are mounted. A guide pin 41 on the switch lever 13 passes through guide slot 42 in the locking bolt 38 to guide said bolt in its movements and prevent lateral displacement thereof, while a washer 43 on said guide pin is pressed downwardly against the locking bolt 38 by a spring 44 seated on the lock cylinder, thus giving a resistance to the movements of the locking bolt that will revent'its accidental movement under the vibration or jar of the automobile.

The shape of the snail slot 37 is such that a complete revolution of the lock barrel in one direction serves to force the locking bolt outwardly into locking engagement with the outer switch lever 12 and the casing respectively to prevent operation of both switches, while a revolution of the lock barrel in the opposite direction causes the bolt to be withdrawn to release the switch levers and permit of their operation.

While it is possible to so construct the device that the locking engagement may take place in any position of either switch lever, for it is to be understood that the invention is not confined in its use to any particular circuits, it is preferred to provide only one opening 40 and that in position to receive the locking bolt only when the inner switch or ignition switch isin its off position. It will, of course, be understood that an off position for the ignition switch may mean a osition in which a circuit is closed or a position in which a circuit is open, for in case of magneto ignition the ignition circuit is. usually rendered inoperative by a connection short circuiting the magneto, whereas with battery ignition the ignition circuit is rendered inoperative by opening the battery circuit. With this arrangement, the unauthorized use of the automobile may be prevented by the locking of the switch,

for with the i nition switch in the off position and locked it will be impossible to operate the engine.

At the same time a change of the lighting circuits is prevented, for the outer or lighting switch is locked by the same operation of the locking mechanism and, unlike the ignition switch, the lighting switch may be locked in any of its positions. Various other circuits which it is desired should not be tampered with when the car is left standing, as for instance the horn circuit, may be controlled by the switch.

The switch levers 12 and 13 are designed for convenient operation by the foot of the driver as well as forhand operation. \Vhile hand operation of either switch is more convenient when the car is standing, it is more desirable to provide for operation of the switch by means of the foot when the switch is to be changed while the car is in motion, and this is particularly true with automobiles having a rather distant dash board with the switch mounted directly thereon. \Vith the present invention it is not necessary to remove the hands from the steering wheel in order to reach the switch and opas required by the traffic, or to control the ignition as when it is desired to stop the operation of the engine while the car is coasting.

The projecting lever 13 for the ignition switch is principally intended for use when the switch is operated by the foot on the principle of what is known as a kick switch for the key 35 will naturally be used .as the means for turning the ignition switch either on looking or unlocking the car. This key is of the type which is removed from the look as soon as the switch is locked or unlocked. One complete revolution of the key is required to either lock or unlock the switch. When the switch is locked and it is desired to start the automobile in operation, the key is first inserted in the lock and then turned one complete revolution to unlock the lock, and a continued turning of the key in the same direction causes the ignition switch to turn therewith from the off position in which it was locked to the on position in which the engine may be started. This movement of the ignition switch member is caused by the pin 36 engaging the hookshaped projection into the slot 37 which prevents the further independent turning of the lock barrel and necessitates the switch member 13 turning therewith to its on position. The key is then removed, having served first to unlock the lock and then as a handle for operating the ignition switch. Likewise, on locking the switch, the key is 7 used as a handle for the ignition switch to throw the ignition switch from the on position to the off position to bring the parts to the ositi on in which the lock may be operated y entering the bolt 38 in the opening 40. If an attempt is made to lock the switch with the ignition switch in the on position, the key will be turned part way when it becomes blocked by engagement of the locking bolt 38 with the wall of the casing. Instead of releasing the key in order to operate the ignition switch bv means of'the lever 13, the ignition switch may be turned by means of the key, a slight withdrawal thereof serving to engage the tumbler pins of theYale lock with the barrel and thereby cause the lock barrel with the ignition switch lever 13 to turn with the key from the on to the OE. position, whereupon the key is again pressed home and continued in its turning movements in the same direction to complete the locking operation. The key is thus the natural handle for the ignition switch when the ignition switch is turned to its off position or to its on position upon locking or unlocking the switch respectively, while the projecting lever converts it into a kick switch for operation by the foot while the automobile is in motion.

Another locking mechanism, similar so far as the key constituting a removable handle for the ignition switch is concerned and in other respects, is shown in Figs. 9 and 10, wherein, instead of the wrist pin 36 fixed in the end of the lock barrel, a cam 45 is loosely mounted on the lock barrel 34 and is caused to turn therewith by the engagement of a lug 46 on the lock barrel with either of a pair of pins 47 and 48 on the cam. The cam is capable of a half turn and consequently the play of a half turn for the lock barrel is provided so that the lock barrel is given a complete revolution for each throw of the cam for either looking or unlocking the switch. To limit the movements of the cam a stop shoulder 49 at the end of the recess in the ignition switch lever 13, in which the point of the cam swings, is engaged by said point of the cam when the lock barrel is in position to have the key removed, and a stop pin 50 projecting from the cam is adapted to engage a stop pin 51 projecting from the end of the lock cylinder 32 when the cam has been turned a half turn by the complete revolution of the lock barrel 34 and the key is again in position to be removed.

A bushing ring 52 has a forced fit in an opening 53 through the ignition switch lever 13 and forms a spring seat for a coil spring 54. A locking bolt slidably fits within the bushing ring 52 with the spring 54 bearing against a flange on the end thereof and holding said end against the cam surface of cam 45. \Vhen the cam is turned by the turning of the lock barrel, it forces the locking bolt 45 outwardly against the pressure of spring 54 so that it projects through one of the openings 39 of the lighting switch lever 12 and into the opening 40 of the casing 11 so as to lock both of the switch levers against movement in the same manner as with the locking bolt 38 as previously described.

In the operation of the locking mechanism of this form of the invention, the turning of the key to move the parts from the position shown in F ig. 9 causes the lock barrel 34 to turn, moving the lug 46 away from pin 47 and toward pin 48. Then the lock barrel has been turned a half revolution the lug 46 engages pin 48 and thereby causes the cam 45 to turn with it, and the cam surface engaging the locking bolt is such as to force the locking bolt outwardly through the opening 39 in register therewith and into the opening 40, the movement of parts being stopped bythe engagement of pin 50 with pin 51. When the parts are stopped in this manner, the loclc barrel has completed its revolution and the key is in position to be removed. The turningof the key in the opposite direction causes it first to move the lug 46 from the pin 48 and the pin 47 and to then return the cam to its position of engagement with the shoulder 49 of the ignition switch. During the return of the cam to this position the spring 54 has been permitted -to withdraw the locking bolt 55 so that when the shoulder 49 is engaged by the cam, the switches are unlocked. At the end of the unlocking operation, when the parts are brought to a stop by the engagement of the cam 45 with the shoulder 49, if instead of removing the key entirely it is only slightly withdrawn, it may be turned in the direction of the arrow and the lock cylinder 32 turning therewith, because of the lock tumbler pins preventing independent turning of the lock barrel, causes the ignition switch 13 to turn from the off position in which it was locked, to the on position. When in the on position, the shoulder 49 of the ignition switch is in the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 9, and the insertion of the key for locking the switch may be followed by aturning of the key in the direction to cause the cam 45, by its engagement with the shoulder 49, to force the ignition switch 13 to its oil? position, as shown in Fig. 9 before turning the key in the opposite direction to force the locking bolt by means of the cam into its locking position.

lVith this form of the invention, as well as with the other, the key constitutes a removable handle for operating the ignition switch in addition to the handle afforded by the projecting end of the switch lever 13.

The switch structure as described is designed to be mounted directly upon the dash board, the cylindrical casing fitting within an opening through the dash board with the flange forming the front plate receiving screws through its openings for fastening it in place. The switch mechanism may, however, be mounted'on the steering column by means of a special mounting shown in Figs. 3 and 4, which consists of two members 56 and 57 forming complementary clamping members held together by screws 58 so as toclamp the steering column between them. The member 56 has an opening to receive the cylindrical portion 11 of the switch case and threaded sockets to receive the screws 59 which clamp the flange of the front plate 10 thereto. This member 56 also has a threaded outlet opening 60 to receive the end of a cable tube through which the wires are led to the several binding posts.

The lock switch of this invention contains separate switch members in the same general switch structure which control different circuits and are lndependent of each other except that they are locked simultaneously by'the same locking mechanism. Another feature of great importance in many cases is that this look mechanism is only capable Various combinations may be made in.

the connections established by the engagement of the contact buttons 26 with the plungers of the terminal sockets 22 in the various positions of the switch member by positioning them at will. The terminal sockets 22 are arranged in two concentric circular sets for engagement with the correspondingly concentric circular arrangement ofthe contact buttons 26 in the respective switch members 15 and 17.

Various other changes and alterations may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and I desire it to be understood that this invention is not limited to any specific form or arrangement of parts except in so far as such limitations are speci I fied in the claims.

\Vhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A lock switch, comprising a pair of switch members, operating means therefor, a lock common to both switch members, and a key for the lock constituting a su plementary operating means for one o the switch members.

2. A lock switch, comprising a pair of switch members for controlling different circuits, an operating means for each switch member, a lock for connecting both switch members to a stationary part for preventing their operation, and a removable key for the lock said key having connection with one of the switch members to constitute a supplemental handle therefor. 4

3. A lock switch, comprisin a pair of switch members controlling cuits, an operating means for each switch member, a lock mechanism carried by one of the switch members and adapted when operated to engage the other-switch member and a stationary part for locking both switch members, and a removable key for the lock constituting a supplemental operating means for the lock-bearing switch member.

4. A'lock switch, comprising a pair of switch members controlling difi'erent circuits and arranged one within the other,

different cirlock mechanism carried by the inner switch member adapted when operated to pass through an opening in the outer switch member and an opening in the stationary part, and a removable key for the locking I operating means for locking both operating means, and a removable key for the lock by means of which the inner operating means may be moved.

6. A lock switch for automobiles, comprising a lighting switch member and an ignition switch member, operating means for the two. switch members, the operating means for the ignition switch member being positioned within the other, a lock carried by the inner operating means for locking both operating means, and a removable key for the lock adapted to move the ignition switch member o erating means.

7. X lock switch, comprising a lighting switch member and an ignition switch member, operating levers for both switch members, the operating lever for the ignition switch member being positioned within the other, a lock Within the ignition switch lever adapted to pass through an opening in the lighting switch lever and engage an opening in the stationary part only when the ignition switch member is in the off position, and a removable ke for the lock forming a supplemental hand e for moving the ignition switch member.

8. A lock switch, comprising a pair of switch members with operating means, a locking mechanism carried by one for locking both, the lock-carrying switch member having a position in which it is incapable of being locked, and a removable key for the locking mechanism capable of turning said switch member from such position to a locking position before operating the lock. 7

9. A lock switch, comprising a pair of switch members, operating means therefor, a lock on one operating means for locking both, said operating'means having a position in which it cannot be locked, and a removable key for the lock capable of turning said operating means from such position to a' locking position before operating the lock.

10. A lock switch, comprising a pair of switch members, a lock carried by one for locking both, said lock-carrying switch member having an on position in which .it' may not be locked, and a removable key for the lock capable of moving said switch member from its locked off position to its on position after unlocking the lock.

11. A lock switch, comprising a pair of oscillating switch members, a rotary locking means carried by one switch member for locking both, said switch member having an on position in which it may not be locked, and an oil position in which it may be locked, and a removable key for the locking means adapted to be turned therein for unlocking said switch member and by a continued turning movement in the same direction serving to move said switch member from the off position to the on position thereof.

12. A lock switch, comprising a pair of oscillating switch members, a rotary lock barrel on one switch member having tumblers for preventing its independent rotation, a lock bolt sliding through openings in the switch members and engaging a stationary part and operated by the turning movements of the lock barrel, and a removable key for the lock barrel serving as a handle for said switch member when partly inserted therein.

13. A lock switch, comprising a pair of switch members, a rotatable lock barrel mounted in one switch member and having tumblers for preventing its independent rotation, a locking means operated by the rotary movements of the lock barrel for locking both switch members, and a removable key for the lock barrel serving when partly inserted as a handle for operating said switch member.

14:. In a lock switch, a switch member, an operating means for the switch member, a lock for the switch member, and a removable key for the lock, said key forming a supplemental operating means for the switch member. I

15. A lock switch, comprising a switch member having an operating means, a lock for the switch member capable of operation in one position of the switch member, and

a removable key for the lock constituting a supplemental operatin means for the switch member for moving 51c switch member to and from its locking position.

16. A lock switch; comprising an oscillating switch member, a rotary lock barrel mounted thereon and having tumblers for preventing its independent movement, a removable key seated in the lock barrel for moving the tumblers to a position permitting the lock barrel to be turned independently, and means controlled by the turning of the lock barrel for locking the switch member,.

the key when partially inserted serving as a handle for turning the switch member.

17. In a lock switch, a pivotally mounted operating member, locking means therefor,

a lock barrel rotatably mounted in the operating member and operating the locking means by its rotary movements, tumblers for preventing the turning of the lock barrel in the operating member, and a removable key'fitting in the lock barrel for moving the an opening in the casing, a 100 barrel rotatably mounted in the inner switch lever and engaging the lock bolt.

19. A look svn'tch, comprising a casing, a pair of switch levers fitting one within the other and both within an openingof the casing, a lock bolt in the inner-switch lever passing through an opening in the outer switch lever and engaging an opening in the casing, a lock barrel rotatably mounted in the inner switch lever, and a pin projecting from the lock barrel at one side of the center thereof and engaging a slot in the lock bolt for causin the movements of the lock bolt when the ock barrel is turned.

20. In a lock switch, a .casin a pair of switch levers fitting one within t e other and both within an opening of the casing, a sliding bolt extending across the inner switch lever andadapted to be projected through an opening in the outer switch lever and into an opening of the casing, a stop pin on the inner switch member passing through a slot of the lock bolt for limiting the movements thereof, a spring on the stop pin bearing on the lock bolt for holding it in place, a rotary lock barrel on the inner switch member, and a in thereon to one side of the center of t e lock barrel and engaging a snail slot of the lock bolt for causing the lock bolt to move as a result of the turning movements of the lock barrel.

21. In a lock switch, a casing, a pair of switch levers fitting one within the other and both within an opening of the casing,

a spring-retracted locking bolt in the inner switch lever adapted to be projected through an opening in the outer switch lever and into an opening in the casing, a lock barrel rotatably mounted on the inner switch lever, and a cam on the lock barrel engaging the locking bolt.

22. Ina lock switch, a casing, a pair of switch levers fitting one within the other and both within a casing, a spring-retracted locking bolt in the inner switch lever and adapted to be projected through an opening in the outer switch lever and into an opening in the casing, a lock barrel rotatably mounted in the inner switch lever, a cam .member loosely mounted on the lock barrel and engaging the locking bolt, a pair of pins on the lock barrel for engaging the pins for turning the cam member and permitting play 0 the lock barrel.

23. In a switch, a casin having an inwardly extending annular ange, a pair of switch levers one fitting within the other, and the outer switch lever having an external groove to receive theflange of the casing, and an internal annular flange fitting within a groove of the inner switch lever, contact buttons carried by the switch levers and suitably connected together, a' terminal head in the casing, terminal sockets in the terminal head, and spring-pressed contact plungers in the terminal head sockets for engaging the contact buttons.

24. In an automobile switch, a switch casin having a front plate forming a flange, a ho ow mounting provided with an opening to receive the casing and having the flange of the casing secured thereto, there being an o nin in the mounting opposite the casing or a mitting a cable, one end of the mounting having a semi-circular recess to fit part way around a steering "column, and a clamping member extendin the rest of the way around the steering co umn and having clamping screws connecting it with the mounting.

In testimon whereof, I aflix my signature, in presence 0 two witnesses.

STEPHEN F. BRIGGS.

Witnesses:

MARY E. SMITH, R. S; C. CALDWELL. 

